Infection- This is an invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic, micro-organisms in a bodily part or tissue which could cause harm. Infections can be spread with ease, poor practice is the main reason for spread of infection. Examples of poor practices are not washing your hands regularly, hand washing should be done thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by hand-drying with a paper towel. Another example of poor practice is not covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. You should always get vaccinated and always use safe methods of cooking and preparing food.
Because neonates in the first few hours of life usually don’t have adequate vitamin K in their blood stream, physician often prescribes Phytonadione to prevent hemorrhaging of the newborn. However, the patient in the case study was given too much vitamin K. This medication error puts the patient at risk of hemolytic anemia and
But what truly causes it is a mystery that leaves scientists and doctors with just guesses and tests to do. Some people say that babies die of SIDS just from sleeping wrong. In 1994, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) had a “Back To Sleep” campaign that told parents to always put infants on their backs when sleeping. After that, the rate of SIDS went down by more than 50% (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Even with that drop in the death rate, SIDS is still responsible for about 3,000 deaths per year (“Sudden Infant Death” 1621).
The rate of infection did decrease substantially in the shaved patients if the shaving was done at the time of surgery rather than the customary day prior. Each of the article cited years’ worth of data collection in studies around the world with thousands of patient’s total. In all of the articles they noted that the resistance to changing this procedure is due to custom and practice (Prevention of Surgical Site Infections n.d.). 4. Based upon a review of the literature, if the practice of shaving was eliminated in totality or at least substituted with clipping in more hospitals, the incidence of
Hand decontamination is the most effective and definitely the most cost-effective, method of avoiding infections related to poor hand hygiene. The aim of hand decontamination is to significantly reduce the carriage of potential pathogens on the hands that can potentially be dangerous to patients and healthcare workers. Decontamination refers to the process of removal of blood, bodily fluids and destruction (elimination) of micro-organism from the hands. Current national and international guidelines suggest that hand decontamination should be performed before and after patient contact. Deciding when to decontaminate your hand can be a little bit daunting.
Empirical knowing focuses on evidenced based practice which leads to effective nursing practice. To be a competent nurse, you have to work on your empirical knowledge by attending stroke conferences, reading journals and continuing education units (CEU). Compared to Schultz and Meleis, empirical knowing validates nursing actions or interventions. Historically patients were not told they were dying or information about having a terminal disease was never disclosed to patients (Smith-Stoner,2011).But over the years or decades, that has changed because of emphasis on patient centered nursing practice (
How to wash your hands Washing your hands properly is an easy way to avoid getting and spreading viruses and germs. First, remove all rings, watches, bracelets, or other jewelry on hands and wrists. Jewelry can carry pathogens and should be cleaned with a disinfectant separately, so they will not be damaged. Next, stand close enough to the sink to reach the flow of water without touching the sink with your body because the sink itself should be considered contaminated. By standing too close to the sink it may spread any contamination to your cloths.
Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI), or as it is sometimes referred to as Nosocomial infection; is an infection occurring in patients after admission to hospital that was neither present nor incubating at the time of admission. This student will discuss the role of the nurse in preventing hospital acquired infection while on clinical placement, define HAI, and look at the causes of HAI and how it is spread. This student will also show in order to minimise these risks, systems must in place, understood and implemented by all concerned. Plowman (1997) claimed that, 6,000 deaths per year are caused by HAI, with significant financial costs for the NHS and personal costs for patients’ families. Other factors include separation from family, anxiety, sense of isolation and stigma.
Policy Deviation Initial observation on the unit showed that most of the nurses follow the policy. However, there were some specific issues where the policy was not followed. When answering call lights, nurses would respond, turn off the call lights and respond to the patients needs. Often times, if a patient needed assistance getting out of bed or any task that required direct patient contact, the nursing staff would not wash their hands. The policy states “hands are to be washed before initiating direct care with patient” (Community Mercy Health Partners, 2006).
Triage levels 3 are patients who need care soon and doctor and nurses should see them within next 30 minutes or so. Similarly Triage level 4 and 5 patients are patients who are bit stable and doctor and nurses see them in order as they sit and wait in waiting area. ER department try to provide care to all clients in fast pace environment based on acuity level of patients. Almost all patients seeking health care services are outpatients but some inpatients, especially from Stan Cassidy and others units come to ER only in they require immediate suture due to falls and cut. Patients with all kinds of health history seek health care services from ER.